A Conversation In Walmart11/5/2008 7:09:05 AMIT'S ABOUT TIMEYes, I do shop at Walmart and I know all the reasons people say you shouldn't shop there. With times as tight as they are I have to be frugal, so I do shop at Walley World.

I was there last night in the pain relief section when I had a conversation with a lovely lady who seemed about my age. She was in a wheelchair. She said she had tried the cheaper generic pain reliever but it just didn't seem to work as well for her arthritis pain. We talked about the value of just a dollar now days. She happened to be Black, I happen to be White. We talked about hard times and hopes for better times. I put my arms around her and said "This is our time."

Tears fell down her cheeks and mine. You know, those tears didn't have any color. Blood is red, hearts beat the same way and can be filled with both fears and hopes and aspirations. They can be divided with hate or united with love and mutual understanding.

Now is our time to defeat the hate and fear, to uphold the understanding and love. I watched Barack Obama's acceptance speech late last night and I couldn't help but cry. I cried because I am hopeful of a better America. I cried because I believe that the very long and painful struggle of African Americans has reached a plateau, a true turning point for equality. Not just legal equality but the equality of mankind, the American ideal that all men are created equal.

In that enormous crowd he spoke to I saw white faces, black faces, all shades different or in between. I saw the look of hope on those faces and tears streaming down cheeks of all colors. Do I think Barack is a messiah? NO, but I do think he is a decent man, a man of intelligence and thoughtfulness. A clear mind and a steady hand and someone who honestly cares about those who have been left out of or are losing the American Dream, the dream of having respect and enough to live self sufficiently. I think he is the type of leader who comes around probably once in a generation and I for one thank God for new leadership.

There is still enormous work ahead of all of us, in every aspect of our country. I believe President Obama will gather around him the brightest minds, the most experienced men and women to help him guide our country back on track and to keep her safe.

There is also a lot of work for us to do toward prejudice and racial distance. This election is just another rung on the ladder to equality. Don't try to tell me race is no longer an issue. I live in the deep South, I mingle with her people. Prejudice and mistrust is on both sides and it needs to end. I was told when I moved here that the Black people here hate White people, I've seen very little of that and on the other hand I've seen a lot of White hatred for Black people.

I was phoned the day before election, even though this person knew I would be voting for Obama, they told me to go buy milk and bread and enough food to last a while because if Obama won, it would no longer be safe for Whites in the streets and if he lost there would be riots. So I went to the store and bought cat food, only because my cat was out of food. However, She is silver white with black strips so I figure she'd be safe even if she needed to go out today!!

I believe if our new President does a good job it will go a long way toward the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream. When you talk to your neighbors or to strangers at Walmart or wherever you shop, say positive things, foster hope and put fear and hate where they belong, in the past.